What Is OSHA Ten-Hour Certification?

An ongoing effort of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is reaching out to workers through the OSHA Directorate of Training and Education. The directorate authorizes Train the Trainer courses where individuals gain certification to teach 10- and 30-hour outreach courses to workers. These training certifications are taught through OSHA Training Institutes. The OTI is set up and funded up to 90 percent by OSHA through state universities and/or state departments of labor. OSHA mandates that all core topics that are taught be based on the 29 CFR and subparts--Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations, subparts 1910, 1915,1917, 1918 and 1926.

Two more hours of electives are to be taught from the following subjects: Hazardous Materials, Sub-part H; Materials Handling, Sub-part N; Machine Guarding, Sub-part O; Introduction to Industrial Hygiene, Sub-part Z; Bloodborne Pathogens, Sub-part Z; Ergonomics; or Safety and Health Program. Two additional hours can then be taught to expand on the subjects listed above.

Construction

In the 10-hour construction course, there are four mandatory hours to be taught: one hour of Introduction to OSHA; two hours of the OSHA Focus Four Hazards; 30 minutes of Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment, Subpart E; and 30 minutes of Health Hazards in Construction (e.g., noise, hazards communication and crystalline silica). There are two hours of electives chosen from the following topics: Materials Handling, Storage, Use and Disposal, Subpart H; Tools - Hand and Power, Subpart I; Scaffolds, Subpart L; Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Elevators and Conveyors, Subpart N; Excavations, Subpart P; and Stairways and Ladders, Subpart X. The remaining four hours can be taught on other hazards of the construction industry or as an expansion of the topics listed above.

Course Environment

The courses are taught in a classroom environment using a course book. There are additional training materials offered by OSHA to include PowerPoint presentations, brochures, pamphlets and videos. Hands-on training can be used; however, it is not mandatory.

Awarding the Card

Upon successful completion and demonstration of the knowledge of the subjects by the students, the trainer will send a completed form to the OTI in which they obtained their training certification. The OTI will record the names of participants and will issue OSHA 10-hour cards for each student. The trainer will fill out and sign each card and then award these cards to the students.

References

About the Author

T.J. Allen has more than 26 years of work experience. His writings range from works of poetry and prose to political campaigns and websites. His education covers the military, schools, emergency medicine, religious education and psychology and counseling. Allen is an accomplished writer, trainer, researcher, public speaker and beekeeper. He holds a Bachelor of Religious Education from Florida Baptist Theological College.